What are you favorite restaurants around town? It’s a common question I receive and one I also ask so many people. As a Shocker alum and season ticket holder, I thought it’d be fun to go around and ask past players who have worn a WSU uniform what their favorite restaurants were. Some still live in Wichita so I asked them what they enjoy the most and others have moved outside of the state or are even overseas so I asked them what they missed most.
It was a lot of fun hearing the responses. There were definitely some restaurants that appeared quite often on their list and some great local gems that definitely deserve the love. Also shout out to Aliyah Funschelle from Sports With Aliyah for helping me get responses from a few of the players below. And of course a huge thanks to all the players for getting back with me.
Enjoy the read!
Malcolm Armstead – G – (2011-2013) – Newport Grill and Cheddars. These were my favorite places to eat after college. During college it was so expensive for me to eat these things. Popeyes was for sure one I ate most daily (in college).
Terrell Benton – G- (1989-2002) – The Monarch, Blue Fin, Spangles.
Jamarius Burton – G- (2018-2020) – Doo-Dah Diner, Stroud’s and Just Like Mama’s Kitchen.
Karon Bradley – G – (2005-2007) – Some of the restaurants we ate at (during 2019 TBT Tournament). I would say this past summer I had some places that were new that I discovered. But some ones that stuck out were Mama Nith’s Crawfish, Doo-Dah Diner and Emerson Biggins.
D.J. Bowles – G – (2013-2014) – Some of my favorites were Red Rock, Wings and Things (now closed) and Doo-Dah Diner.
Zach Bush – G/F – (2013-2017) – Dempsey’s Biscuit Co, Oak & Pie and a tie between HomeGrown and Doo-Dah Diner.
Kadeem Coleby – C- (2013-2014) – Number 1 for me would have to be Red Rock Canyon Grill. Number 2 is Texas Roadhouse. Number 3 is a buffet place that had some good mac n’ cheese, fried chicken and lemonade. I can’t remember the name of it. It’s been a while. Hog Wild was pretty good too.
Tekele Cotton – G – (2011-2015) – Red Rock (especially their wings) is the favorite. Sumos is my second! I had plenty of good memories with loved ones at Sumos. I love their food and ambiance! Third would probably be Newport Grill. Same as Sumos, I got the chance to eat there with family a couple times and really enjoyed their whole setup and the food was amazing. There are a few more that I can’t remember the names of but Wichita has plenty of good restaurants that I enjoyed and miss.
P.J. Couisnard – G – (2004-2008) – My gems were Dempseys for burgers, Knolla’s for pizza and El Mexico for tacos. Chicken & Pickle is my favorite.
Jaime Echenique – C – (2018-2020) – Doo-Dah Diner, Dempsey’s Biscuit Co, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
Eli Farrakhan – G – (2018-2019) – It’s close but I’d have to say Doc Green’s, Strouds and Doo-Dah Diner for sure. Definitely Fuzzy’s too but those are my top three.
Conner Frankamp – G – (2015-2018) – I’d say I miss Redrock, Buffalo Wild Wings and Angelo’s.
Clevin Hannah – G – (2008-2010) – I would be happy to share my most missed restaurants there in Wichita. My 1st would be Sumo’s. 2nd is Texas Roadhouse and 3rd is Bella Luna Cafe!
Samajae Haynes-Jones – G – (2017-2019) – First would be Doo-Dah Diner, second would be Crazy Crab. Wasabi would be my third even though I miss pho too.
Greg Heiar – Asst. Coach – (2011-2016) – Red Rock, Chester’s and Walt’s.
Ria’n Holland – G – (2014-2015) – My favorite one was definitely Redrock Canyon Grille then Candle Club and Pumphouse.
Jamar Howard – F – (2001-2005) – B&C BBBQ, Sorrel’s Jamaican Food, and not a restaurant but love eating at a place inside Towne East Square called Nori Japanese.
Cheese Johnson – F – (1975-1979) – Walt’s East, Deano’s, Doo-Dah Diner.
Rob Kampman – F – (2001-2005) – The Anchor, TJ’s Burger House, and Ziggy’s Pizza.
Rashard Kelly – F – (2014-2018) – Redrock for the Hawaiian Ribeye with sweet carrots. Paleteria Tropicana for everything and Scotch & Sirloin for the good vibes.
C.J. Keyser – G – (2016-2018) – Doc Green’s was my favorite restaurant followed by Ziggy’s Pizza and Taco Bell.
Kaelen Malone – G – (2016-2018) – Doc Green’s, Emperors and Doo-Dah Diner. Also love Wings N Things. Hard to leave them out even though they are closed.
Markis McDuffie – F – (2015-2019) – Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Doc Green’s and Noodles & Company.
Gal Mekel – G – (2006-2008) – Sunday brunch at Yaya’s .. unreal
Paul Miller – C – (2001-2006) – Red Rock, Spangle’s, Sweet Basil (which has since closed), Felipes.
Shaq Morris – C/F – (2014-2018) – Cholita’s Mexican Restaurant on the west side…. Carlos O’Kelly’s and Doc Green’s!!! Oh yeah Doo-Dah Diner as well though.
Rauno Nurger – C – (2014-2018) – Big Larry’s is one good burger place I love. Dempsey’s Biscuit Co and Paleteria La Reyna. Chicken and Waffles from Dempsey’s Biscuit Co is also one of my favorites. (It should be noted Rauno Nurger also completed the Six Million Dollar Burger Challenge at Bionic Burger).
Ehimen Orukpe – C- (2010-2013) – I’m a creature of habit. I find something I like and stick to it. So I’d say Firebird, Redrock and probably P.F. Changs.
Craig Steven – G- (1998-2003) – Spangles, Spangles, Spangles!! OK….. Wine Dive, 6S Steakhouse and Chopstix.
Erik Stevenson – G – (2018-2020) – Slim Chickens, Dempsey’s Biscuit Co, and Stroud’s.
Garrett Stutz – C – (2008-2012) – Chicken N Pickle, Sweet Basil (which has since closed), Red Rock Canyon Grill, Doo-Dah Diner, Ziggy’s Pizza and Mama Nith’s Crawfish.
Ty Taylor – G – (2015-2016) – Deano’s, Japan Express and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Ricky Torres – G – (2018-2019) – First is Doo-Dah Diner then Stroud’s then Doc Green’s.
Juston White – F – (1999-2001) – The Monarch is an easy choice. Their tomato soup with grilled cheese is an absolute must. Make sure you add cream cheese and tomato. The soup and sandwich combined is amazing. Saigon I’m a sucker for their vegetable Pho with char boiled pork and an order of egg rolls. Lastly Pam’s Wings with Things. The wings with house sauce and fries is my go to. Only choosing three is tough. Just Like Mama’s Kitchen deserves a ranking spot as well. Alondra’s Tacos has the best asada in town and Beautiful Day Cafe is the best healthy alternative in town.
Bret Wise – (2002-2004) – Albero’s Cafe, Cheddar’s and Ziggy’s would be some of my favorites. The owner of Albero’s is a super nice guy and the owners of Ziggy’s are huge Shocker fans.
Once again, thanks to all those who participated in this fun little blog that certainly highlighted many of the fantastic restaurants Wichita has to offer.
So that poses the question, “What are YOUR favorite restaurants around town?”. Chime in below in the comments section!
Happy Dining and Go Shockers!
Eddy
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Wow, sounds like if you want to run into a Shocker, just head to Red Rock on a regular basis. Lol. They do have great food, though.
awesome piece! was amazed you had feedback from Cheese Johnson. His talents were legendary. Thanks for this great trip down memory lane.